Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-20

III ZIG cOdCH anu Inc GrlV0r was Oruer6C
to proceed on the journey.
The immunity granted Marie and her
aunt evidently displeased their plumber
cd companions, and this dissatisfaction
was openly vented upon the two ladies.
ST should certainly have begged the
senorita to act as my treasurer" said one
of the men, chad / known that she would
be exempt"
$50 would l." groaned and growled
each of the others.
Ma'ie's eyes flashed. ssHad you the
spirit of girl of 10, seniors, she said
"yoU would not have given up your arms
but would have used them to save your
property and protect two women from
insult" Silence reigned in the coach
after that, and at the next station Two
passengers left the vehicle, but were re-
placed by two other men; one with a
| coarse bad face, in strong contrast with
his handsome companion, man some
past his prime and showing marks Of
care, but with kindly eyes, a courteous
manner, and most fascinating smile. He
sat near the door, and evidently knew
the country by heart, pointing out every
place of interest as they passed it,.
Through him conversation was reviewed,
and the whole story of the robbery re-
hearsed, which tale seemed to amuse the
rough stranger beyond ID Ssure. Marie
thought the voice of the gentle newcomer
somewhat familiar, and like that she
heard coming from the darkness, but the
fearless glance, the honest eyes, the
charming manners of the man disarmed
all suspicion; his attentions showed that
he admired her, and were so marked that
this fact was soon apparent to all the
company.
Ia two hours the coach was again stop
ped, and robber presented his gun and
face at the door, requesting the passen
gers to alight. The pleasant stranger
near the door just touched the new
visitor OF Ihe wrist; the robber met his
eyes changed color, stammered, and beg
ged pardon.
''Skall you want to see my passport?"
inquired the stranger,
Pardon, senor," replied the robber,
"no, no."
The coach proceeded without further
annoyance. cit would have been forum
ate had we had you with US when we were
attacked before" said the man who had
| growled at Marie.
| 81 wish L had been there" answered the
polite stranger, with smile, while his
rough companion roared with rude
| laughter, while all the rest looked on
amazed.
| By gradual approaches the stranger
and Marie became unintentionally COM
municative, and he discovered that she
was the niece of the rich banker de Navar-
ra In chihuahua.
de Navarro" he cried, "why, he is an
old friend Of mine! Will you present him
this, my card? 1 am going to Chilhua-
hua myself and will certainly renew my
acquaintance with him."
Marie promised and performed-in her
secluded life she had never heard of Don
Carlos Me dana-and when she gave the
card and message to her uncle, she
| thought he turned pale. But it might
only nave been her fancy.
1t was weeks before Carlos redeemed
his promise, but he never forgot, and at
last he came, much to the amazement and
! discomfort OF De Navarro.
I sAhw cried Don Carlos, Sand SO we
meet after SO many years! You turned
| traitor and tried to have us all hung but
yourself. Well, we all live, you see, and
| intend to do SO.
"Hushw cried De Navarro, ''what did
was to save my own neck. Do not whisper
of the past to my niece"
"Do not mention your niece's name in
| the same breath with that Of our villain
Gus past. She is too pure and sweet to
be spoken of by our lips; but yet, l.,
blood stained, guilty wretch though l am,
l love her. Let me try to win her for
my wife, De Navarro and [ swear | viii
forget your treachery and hide your
past, as Ipy own, from her, Dor shall she
suspect or know my pursuits while [
live.
DE Navarro had for long time previ-
Gus been member, sometimes active,
and at others plotting, in Don Carlos
reckless, murderous band. Once he was
detected, aud only by brides and treachry
to his com panions had ha escaped death,
since which time he had striven to lead
an honest life. He dearly loved his niece,
and it racked his heart-strings to give
her to his former master, but by SO doing
only could he purchase his life, which he
knew he had forfeited at the hands of
every member of the robber band. So
he gave his consent.
The wooing of Marie by Don Carlos
was speedy and happy, and, pressed by
her uncle, the marriage took place with
in q few weeks. The girl had learned to
love her husband devotedly, even in this
short time, and he devoted himself to
her with a loving tenderness wonderful
in man of his character.
The happy pair proceeded to the home
of De Mendana, at the foot of the mount
tains, and lived most happily there Tor
years. Three lovely children were Dor
to them, and the devotion of the husband
to his wife never faltered; for her sake
he had given up all personal share in the
plumber of the band, living on his home
estate, and directing his henohmen by
messages or at interviews.
Marie often wondered at the wild men
who came, asking always for Don Carlos
Rodrigo, a parsonage of whom her hus-
band would tell her nothing, but of whose
plans he always seemed to be fully in
formed.
After several years, when the author1-
ties became active in hunting the bandits,
an action took place between the soldiers
and the robbers. So many OF the latter
were made prisoners and executed, that
De Mendana felt in homer bound to expose
himself with the remainder. So telling
Marie that he was called to aid Don Rod
RICO and might be long absent. he tender